- Let's begin the first stage of the exam. You will all hand in your applications one by one. In return, each of you will receive a number like this one and take the seat assigned to it. After that, we will hand out the tests. - Ibiki explained the rules of the first stage of the Chunin Exams.
Following the instructions, I went with everyone into the hall where the written exam was being held. Many of the candidates were nervous about how things were unfolding, but I wasn't. After taking my assigned seat, I began looking around.
Suddenly, I felt Sakura-chan's gaze on me. Apparently, she wasn't sure whether I would be able to handle this challenge. When our eyes met, I immediately winked at her. Sakura became slightly flustered and quickly looked away, not forgetting to curse at me and call me an idiot.
By the way, Sasuke looked at me too. Although his expression was as cold as usual, I knew perfectly well what he was thinking. I gave him a thumbs-up, letting him know there was no reason to worry. In response, my gloomy teammate nodded and began working on his test.
Knowing the canon, I could have simply ignored the test and waited for the final question, where Ibiki would try to scare us into giving up. However, I became curious whether I could answer at least one of the questions correctly. Looking at the first question, I quickly realized that even considering the fact that I was much smarter than the original Naruto, there was little chance I could answer even one of them… Even in my previous life, I had never been particularly good at geometry!
However, I didn't show any panic. With a poker face, I began drawing various scribbles instead of answering the questions. Just like in canon, Hinata-chan was sitting next to me. After finishing part of the questions, she looked in my direction in surprise. And when she actually noticed what I was "writing," she was horrified! Heh, it was amusing to see that kind of reaction from her.
- Naruto-kun… - she whispered my name and slightly moved her answer sheet so that I could copy from it.
- Thanks, but you don't have to. - I told her, then winked at Hinata.
- …?! - The young princess of the Hyuga clan immediately became flustered and couldn't recover from my gesture for quite some time.
'I know I'm acting like a complete idiot, but I can't help myself… I'm about to face a monster, and I don't even know if I'll survive. Maybe this is how I'm dealing with the stress…' - I thought.
Soon, many of the participants figured out the true purpose of the exam - cheating without getting caught. They began using their unique abilities to copy answers from others. In my opinion, the whole thing was complete bullshit!
Like, did the examiners seriously not notice Gaara creating a sand eye above himself to copy answers? Or Neji and Sasuke activating their dojutsu? Or Ino using her clan technique and taking over Sakura, who was sitting in front of her, so she could "subtly" memorize the answers? Shino was the only one cheating completely unnoticed, thanks to his bugs.
In any case, the examiners allowed the participants to cheat, but only by using unique techniques. Those idiots who simply tried to peek at their neighbors' answers were penalized and given warnings…
Anyway, the first stage of the exam was coming to its final part.
- Alright. I will now announce the tenth question. - Ibiki began.
- … - Silence fell over the room. Every participant was tense and nervous.
- However, before I give you the question, I'm going to introduce a few additional rules. - the head examiner continued, deliberately building up the tension.
- …! - I didn't even notice several participants swallowing nervously.
- I'll explain the rules, and these rules are very strict… - And then Ibiki presented everyone with a "serious" choice, just like in canon.
They could give up and fail the exam, while still retaining the opportunity to take the Chunin Exams again the following year. Or they could choose to continue, but if they answered this question incorrectly, they would fail the exam and permanently lose the right to ever take the Chunin Exams again.
A lot of participants panicked. Many complained, but were afraid to voice their opinions to Ibiki. Which wasn't surprising, considering this man was a master of torture, and a strange, terrifying aura seemed to emanate from him…
In any case, I noticed Sakura-chan anxiously looking in my direction. She wasn't sure whether I would be able to handle the tenth "question." Sasuke also looked at me, wanting an answer from me. In the end, I winked at both of them, letting them know everything would be fine and they didn't need to worry about me. My teammates merely sighed heavily at this and mentally called me an idiot. Still, they completely trusted me and calmed down. It actually felt good knowing they trusted me that much.
Anyway, I watched as the weak-willed genin began giving up on the exam one after another. Five minutes later, seven teams had already been unable to withstand the fear of possible failure and decided to give up halfway through. It was a sad sight…
I would have continued silently watching events unfold, but out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Hinata-chan starting to tremble as she prepared to raise her hand and give up…
'Damn it. Damn it! Damn it!!! What am I supposed to do, and how the hell did it even come to this?! Although… maybe this is actually for the best? If Hinata, Kiba, and Shino don't make it, they won't be in danger, and I won't have to worry about them… Damn it, this is hard! Every single thing I do changes the canon events more and more… What's going to happen to Hinata and her team in the future if they don't go through the Forest of Death? For fuck's sake…' - My head was filled with so many thoughts that they felt like they were tearing me apart from the inside!
- … - Hinata continued slowly raising her hand.
'No! I have to do something… If Hinata-chan gives up now, it'll be much harder for her to become stronger in the future! I can't let that happen!' - In the end, I made my decision.
- What bullshit!!! - I shouted, slamming my fists against the desk as I stood up.
- …?! - Every genin, examiner, and Ibiki looked in my direction. No one present had expected anything like this.
- You think you can scare us with the fear of a possible failure? That's hilarious! We're the future shinobi, and we're destined to risk our lives in order to become stronger! If I give up now, how can I ever hope to become Hokage?! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! And I will never give up! - Ignoring their stares, I let my genuine feelings take over!
- …! - In the end, I received some very strange, yet approving looks from the other genin.
- Naruto-kun… - Even Hinata clenched her hand into a fist and looked at me as if I were some kind of idol.
- What a fool… - Sakura-chan said with a smile.
- He really is interesting. - I heard Temari comment.
- Now that's the spirit! - Rock Lee exclaimed excitedly.
Anyway, just as I had expected, after my words, none of the remaining exam participants were willing to give up. Ibiki silently looked at me, then at the other genin. Seeing their determination, he came to the same conclusion I had.
- Congratulations, you passed! - the head examiner announced, and I noticed a faint smile on his face.
After that, Ibiki counted us. There were 84 people who had passed the exam. In total, 28 teams had made it to the next stage. Then he explained the purpose of the exam and what role the final "question" had played.
- Hey, brats! This is no time to relax! I'm your second examiner, Anko Mitarashi! Now move your asses and follow me! - At the end, our second examiner made an epic appearance in the room — Anko. In a stern voice, she addressed us and ordered everyone to follow her.
- … - The genin began looking at one another. To be honest, Anko's entrance didn't exactly look cool - quite the opposite, actually…
- Hey, Ibiki… What the hell, there are so many of them! Losing your touch? - Before leaving, however, Anko didn't forget to tease her colleague.
- Perhaps some very interesting people have appeared this year. - he replied without falling for her provocation, then looked at me…
- So that's how it is… - she said, beginning to examine me with interest.
Anko continued looking me over with interest for a while, as if trying to understand exactly what had caught Ibiki's attention. I merely shrugged slightly. I had no idea what she found so special about me, and right now I was much more interested in the second stage of the exam.
- Alright, brats! Enough standing around here. Follow me! - Anko finally announced before turning around and heading toward the exit.
We all followed her as one big group. However, before long, I noticed that we were gradually leaving the central part of the village and heading somewhere toward the outskirts of Konoha.
Third-Person POV.
Ibiki silently collected the answer sheets, walking from desk to desk. Finally, he reached the seat where Uzumaki Naruto had been sitting.
He picked up the sheet and looked at it, then froze for several seconds.
Instead of answers to the questions, there were only some random scribbles.
- Hm… - the head examiner muttered quietly.
Ibiki remembered perfectly well how this boy had behaved throughout the entire exam. Naruto had shown almost no signs of anxiety and had calmly remained in his seat, continuing to write something on his sheet. But what exactly had he been writing? Ibiki looked at the scribbles again.
'Did he really not know the answers?' - he wondered.
That possibility was quite obvious. After all, not every genin possessed enough knowledge to solve a test like this. Especially considering how difficult some of the questions had been. However, there was another possibility.
'Or did he know everything?' - Ibiki frowned.
Perhaps Naruto had perfectly understood what was happening during the exam, but deliberately chose not to write anything. He could have been intentionally pretending to be a confused genin while waiting for the test to end.
But why?
Ibiki had no answer to that question.
He remembered how Naruto had calmly watched everything unfold while the other participants gradually began to panic. Then, when the tenth question was announced, the boy suddenly stood up and began talking about how shinobi should never give up.
And the most interesting part — his speech had actually affected the others.
Just a few minutes ago, the participants had been preparing to leave the exam one after another, but after Naruto's words, no one else dared to give up.
'What a strange kid…' — Ibiki looked at the sheet covered in scribbles again.
He still couldn't understand what exactly was going on inside Uzumaki Naruto's head.
Perhaps he was simply an ordinary genin who didn't know the answers, but possessed an unusually strong will.
Or perhaps… Ibiki narrowed his eyes slightly.
…this boy was deliberately hiding his abilities.
Either way, the examiner was curious to see how far Uzumaki Naruto could go. A faint smile appeared on Ibiki's face.
- It seems some very interesting people really have appeared this year… - he quietly said.
He then placed Naruto's sheet together with the others and continued collecting the participants' papers.
End of POV.
'Hm… Looks like the second stage really will take place in the same location as in canon.' - I knew exactly where we were heading, so I wasn't particularly surprised. Many of the other genin, however, began exchanging glances, clearly having no idea what awaited them.
After some time, we finally stopped in front of a huge metal gate, behind which stood a dense forest.
- Welcome to the second stage of the Chunin Exams! - Anko announced loudly, turning toward us. - Before you is Training Ground Number Forty-Four. But among shinobi, it's better known by another name… the "Forest of Death."
- …! - A noticeable murmur spread through the crowd after those words. Some participants stared at the forest in surprise, while others exchanged looks with their teammates. Apparently, not everyone had expected us to be sent somewhere like this.
'Well, here we go…' - I merely sighed heavily.
Memories of the original story immediately surfaced in my mind. This was exactly where Team 7 first encountered Orochimaru, where Sasuke received the Cursed Seal, and where Sakura first showed just how far she was willing to go to protect her teammates.
- The second stage will last five days. - Anko continued explaining. - Before the test begins, each team will receive one of two types of scrolls. A Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll.
One of the examiners immediately raised two scrolls above his head so that all the participants could see them.
- Your task is to obtain both scrolls and deliver them to the central tower located right in the middle of the forest. Only then will your team be able to pass the second stage.
- So we have to take the second scroll from another team? - one of the genin asked.
- Exactly. - Anko answered with a sadistic smile. - And how you do it is your problem. … However, don't think it will be that simple. Various wild animals live throughout the training ground. Some of them are perfectly capable of killing an unprepared shinobi. On top of that, the forest is filled with traps.
- … - Several participants visibly tensed after those words.
- And, of course, the main danger to you — as you've probably already realized - is the other teams. - Anko grinned happily. Every participant in the second stage is pursuing the same goal. Which means that if you encounter another team, be prepared for them to try to take your scroll.
'Now they're starting to understand that the second stage is actually dangerous!' - I thought.
I looked at Sakura and Sasuke. My teammate looked tense, but was trying not to show it. Sasuke, on the other hand, maintained his usual calm expression and listened carefully to Anko's explanation. Afterward, he began examining the other teams, assessing their threat level.
Anko continued explaining the rules for a while before finally moving on to the last preparations.
- Oh, right! I almost forgot the most important thing. - She slapped a palm against her forehead. - Before the test begins, you'll sign documents confirming that you voluntarily agree to participate in the second stage.
- Voluntarily? - one of the genin repeated.
- Exactly! - Anko smiled widely. - Nobody is dragging you here by force. So if you're afraid of dying, you can turn around and leave right now.
A dissatisfied murmur immediately spread through the crowd. However, no one wanted to back down.
Anko was clearly enjoying their reaction. She was deliberately getting on the participants' nerves, as if she wanted them to think about just how dangerous this forest would be before the test even began.
However, I perfectly understood that she wasn't simply trying to scare us.
The second stage really was deadly dangerous.
And if the original story was anything to go by, not all participants were supposed to make it to the central tower.
'Although I wonder… how much will things change this time? Will we be able to survive an encounter with one of the most dangerous S-rank shinobi?' — As I thought about it, my hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Anko continued explaining the rules of the second stage for a while before finally clapping her hands.
- Alright, we're done with the rules. Now let's move on to the actual preparations! All teams will go through registration one at a time. Don't crowd around and don't get in the examiners' way! - she announced.
After her words, several examiners began setting up small tables nearby, separated by screens. Apparently, the organizers had prepared in advance for such a large number of participants.
- Each team will enter separately. First, you'll sign the documents confirming that you agree to the conditions of the second stage and understand the possible risk to your life. After that, you'll receive the items necessary for the test. - Anko explained. - And don't try to peek at the other teams. Which scroll you receive is nobody else's business.
'Yeah. So the teams can't know in advance who has which scroll.' - I voiced the thought in my head.
- Team Number Seven! Follow me! - one of the examiners shouted. - Finally, it was our turn.
The three of us stepped behind the screen, where we signed the necessary papers. After that, the examiner placed a sealed scroll in front of us.
- So, who's taking the scroll? - I asked before looking at it, then at my teammates.
In response, Sakura and Sasuke silently looked at me. I shifted my gaze from one to the other.
- …Ah. - I finally said after a minute of silence.
'Got it. There was no point in asking.' - I smirked and picked up the scroll from the table. - Then I'll carry it.
After hiding the scroll, we stepped out from behind the screen and rejoined the other participants.
Soon, all the teams had received their scrolls, and now they were waiting for only one thing - the beginning of the second stage.
I looked at the huge gates one more time, beyond which the dense forest awaited us.
'Alright… Looks like the preparations are over, and now the real fun begins.'